Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and communication processing method with drawing mode drawing in self-apparatus at time of remote maintenance connection

ABSTRACT

Provided is an image forming apparatus having a drawing mode that enables drawing on a terminal at time of remote maintenance connection. A connecting part connects with the terminal for remote maintenance in a session of a specific protocol. An operation acquiring part acquires operational information corresponding to operation of the terminal connected by the connecting part. A drawing mode switching part switches to the drawing mode that performs drawing on a display of an operation panel part by using the operational information acquired by the operation acquiring part. A drawing part draw to the operation panel part corresponding to a drawing instruction included in the operational information and to reflect a drawing result on the terminal when being switched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching part.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, an imageforming system, and a communication processing method, especially isassociated with the image forming apparatus, the image forming system,and the communication processing method, which enables remotemaintenance.

An image forming apparatus, such as an MFP (Multi-FunctionalPeripheral), is used to print a document and an image.

Here, as typical technology, an image forming apparatus that performs adifferent remote panel display between a main part and an outside byusing the same VRAM is disclosed. The image forming apparatus isprovided with a display screen data generating part that generates thedisplay screen data as an operation panel. Also, the image formingapparatus is provided with an operation part that displays displayscreen data and instructions about operation are inputted. Also, theimage forming apparatus is provided with a remote-control processingpart that transmits the display screen data to an external informationterminal, receives instructions of an operation from the externalinformation terminal, and processes remote control. Also, the imageforming apparatus is provided with a control part that controls eachpart based on the instructions inputted on the operation part or theexternal information terminal. Also, display screen data generating partgenerates so as to be displayed as including an area where displayscreen data differs, display screen data between the operation part andthe display part of the external information terminal.

SUMMARY

An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure is an image formingapparatus includes a connecting part configured to connect with aterminal for remote maintenance in a session of a specific protocol; anoperation acquiring part configured to acquire operational informationcorresponding to operation of the terminal connected by the connectingpart; a drawing mode switching part configured to switch to a drawingmode that performs drawing on a display of an operation panel part byoperational information acquired by the operation acquiring part; adrawing part configured to draw to the operation panel partcorresponding to a drawing instruction included in the operationalinformation and to reflect a drawing result on the terminal when beingswitched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching part.

An image forming system of the present disclosure is an image formingsystem having an image forming apparatus and a terminal for remotemaintenance of the image forming apparatus, wherein:

the image forming apparatus includes a connecting part configured toconnects with the terminal in a session of a specific protocol; anoperation acquiring part configured to acquire operational informationcorresponding to operation of the terminal connected by the connectingpart, a drawing mode switching part configured to switch to a drawingmode that performs drawing on a display of an operation panel part byoperational information acquired by the operation acquiring part, and adrawing part configured to draw to the operation panel partcorresponding to a drawing instruction included in the operationalinformation and to reflect a drawing result on the terminal when beingswitched to the drawing mode by the drawing mode switching part; and theterminal includes a display part configured to display an emulated imageemulated on the operation panel part of the image forming apparatus, andan operation transmitting part configured to transmit the operationalinformation including pointer data about movement and depression of apointer on the emulated image and/or key data about depression of a keyin the terminal to the image forming apparatus in the session.

A communication processing method of the present disclosure is acommunication processing method executed by an image forming apparatuscapable of communicating with a terminal for remote maintenance,comprising the steps of: connecting with the terminal in a session of aspecific protocol; acquiring operational information corresponding tooperation of the connected terminal; switching to a drawing mode thatperforms drawing on display of an operation panel part by the acquiredoperational information; drawing to the operation panel partcorresponding to a drawing instruction included in the operationalinformation; and being reflect a drawing result on the terminal whenbeing switched to the drawing mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system configuration figure of the image forming systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the imageforming apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the supportterminal as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of theimage forming system according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a screen example of the emulated image shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a drawing support process according to theembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is an example of the emulated image drawn by the drawing supportprocess as shown in FIG. 6.

SPECIFICATION Embodiment

[System Configuration of Image Forming System X] Firstly, as refer toFIG. 1-FIG. 3, the system configuration of image forming system Xaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure is explained.

According to FIG. 1, image forming system X according to the embodimentof the present disclosure includes image forming apparatus 1 and supportterminal 2 for remote maintenance of image forming apparatus 1. Also,each apparatus is connected with network 5.

Image forming apparatus 1 is information processing apparatus, such asan MFP, a network scanner, a document scanner, network FAX, a printer,or the like. Also, image forming apparatus 1 can perform copying adocument, printing, scanning, transmitting facsimile, or the like.

Also, in image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment, remotemaintenance between remote places via network 5 is available. In serviceof the remote maintenance, an IT administrator, or the like, who is acustomer, is in the side of image forming apparatus 1, and he or sheperform maintenance by receiving instructions from a support personnel.

Support terminal 2 is PC, a mobile phone, a smart phone, PDA (PersonalData Assistant), a business-use support terminal, a dedicated terminal,or the like. Also, in support terminal 2, a kind of general-purpose OS(Operating System), or the like, is executed. Also, support terminal 2can install a various application software (henceforth, an“application”).

Also, support terminal 2 is a terminal for remote maintenance. Thesupport personnel of the remote maintenance service as mentioned aboveuse support terminal 2 and instructs to the IT administrator, or thelike, for image forming apparatus 1. In this case, support terminal 2displays a screen just emulated operation panel part 16 (FIG. 2) inimage forming apparatus 1 and indicates various instructions on thescreen. The contents of instructions by the support personnel via thescreen are reflected on display part 47, or the like, in image formingapparatus 1. Also, image forming apparatus 1 is controlled correspondingto the button on the screen.

That is, in the present embodiment, the support may be performed withone to one communication by using function as a remote desktop functionprovided in an OS of a common PC. Therefore, for example, a RFB server,or the like is executed in image forming apparatus 1, and an RFB clientis executed in support terminal 2. Also, support terminal 2 may executethe RFB client by using Java script (R), or the like. In this case, theimage emulated operation panel part 16 can be displayed on supportterminal 2, and image forming apparatus 1 can be controlled based on thedisplayed image. That is, support terminal 2 displays the emulatedscreen as a “remote panel” by using a web browser, and it can controlimage forming apparatus 1. In detail, it is possible to use functions,such as a print, a scan, FAX transmission and reception, and networkFAX, in image forming apparatus 1 with instructions by the supportpersonnel from support terminal 2. By using these functions, it becomespossible to check and to show solution of a problem situation for acustomer's image forming apparatus 1 from a remote environment.

Network 5 is, in the present embodiment, LAN (Local Area Network), suchas intranet, or the like, or WAN (Wide Area Network), such as theInternet, a mobile phone network, or the like. In case that network 5 isWAN, it connects with other servers via a router, a gateway, or thelike. Also, network 5 may configure VPN (Virtual Private Network).

In addition, in image forming system X, it may include a plurality ofimage forming apparatuses 1 and support terminals 2, respectively.

(Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1)

Then, as refer to FIG. 2, a configuration of image forming apparatus 1according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is explained.Image forming apparatus 1 may include image processing part 11,manuscript reading part 12, manuscript feeding part 13, feeding part 14,network transmitting and receiving part 15, operation panel part 16,image formation part 17 (image forming unit), FAX transmission andreception part 18, memory part 19, or the like. Each part is connectedto control part 10, and these operations are controlled by control part10.

Control part 10 is an information processing part, such as GPP (GeneralPurpose Processor), CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro ProcessingUnit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit),ASIC (Application Specific Processor), or the like. Control part 10reads the control program stored in ROM or HDD of memory part 19,expands to RAM, executes the control program, and is operated as eachpart of a functional block as described later. Also, control part 10controls a whole device corresponding to specified instructionsinformation inputted from support terminal 2 or operation panel part 16.

Image processing part 11 is a control arithmetic unit, such as DSP(Digital Signal Processor) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or thelike. Image processing part 11 performs specified image processing forimage data. For example, the specified image processing may be a processof scaling, concentration tuning, tone adjustment, an image improvement,or the like. Also, image processing part 11 stores the image read bymanuscript reading part 12 as print data in memory part 19. In thiscase, image processing part 11 can also convert print data into anelectronic filing documents, such as PDF, or the like, or a file of animage data, such as TIFF, or the like. Also, image processing part 11may be able to execute at least a part of a process of OCR (OpticalCharacter Recognition).

Manuscript reading part 12 reads a set manuscript. Manuscript readingpart 12 is arranged on the upper part of the body part of image formingapparatus 1. Manuscript reading part 12 is provided with a scanner,platen glass, and a manuscript reading slit. Manuscript reading part 12moves the scanner to the position that faces the platen glass whenreading the manuscript placed on the platen glass. Manuscript readingpart 12 is read the manuscript placed on the platen glass with scanningand acquires image data. Manuscript reading part 12 outputs the acquiredimage data to control part 10.

Also, manuscript reading part 12 moves the scanner to the position whichfaces a manuscript reading slit when reading the manuscript fed frommanuscript feeding part 13. Then, via the manuscript reading slit,manuscript reading part 12 reads the manuscript synchronizing withconveyance operation of the manuscript by manuscript feeding part 13,and it acquires image data. Manuscript reading part 12 outputs theacquired image data to control part 10.

Manuscript feeding part 13 conveys the manuscript read by manuscriptreading part 12. Manuscript feeding part 13 is arranged on the upperpart of manuscript reading part 12. Manuscript feeding part 13 isprovided with a manuscript mounting part and a manuscript transportmechanism.

Manuscript feeding part 13 feeds out the manuscript placed on themanuscript mounting part one sheet at a time by using the manuscripttransport mechanism, and it feeds to manuscript reading part 12.

Feeding part 14 feeds out a recording paper one sheet at a time to imageformation part 17. Feeding part 14 is provided in the body part.

Network transmitting and receiving part 15 is a network connection partincluding a LAN board, a wireless transceiver, or the like, forconnecting with external networks, such as LAN, wireless LAN, WAN, themobile phone network, or the like. Network transmitting and receivingpart 15 transmits and receives data by using a line for datacommunications, and transmits and receives an audio signal by using avoice call line.

Operation panel part 16 is arranged in front-side of image formingapparatus 1. Also, operation panel part 16 includes input part 46 anddisplay part 47.

Input part 46 is an input unit of a touch panel, physical buttons, orthe like, which acquires the instructions by IT administrator, or thelike, to image forming apparatus 1. Input part 46 may include buttons,such as a start, a stop, a reset, a copy, a transmission, and a FAX, orthe like, to instruct for calling various functions. Also, input part 46may include a physical numeric keypad, a “#Keys” button for displaying anumeric keypad on display part 47, a “home” button for returning to the“home” screen that is the first screen, or the like. Also, input part 46may include various buttons, such as an “Interrupt” of a job, an“Authentication/Logout,” an “Energy saver,” or the like. Also, inputpart 46 may include buttons for making a various state of performing aninstruction about the job change, such as an “Accessibility Display,” a“Status/Job cancel,” a “System Menu/Counter,” or the like. Also, the jobto be instructed may be types, such as printing, transmitting, storing,and recording for a selected document.

In addition, it is also possible to input and change each user'sinformation with a user's instructions acquired from input part 46.Also, input part 46 can connect a reader for a magnetic card or an ICcard, a device for biometric authentication, or the like.

Display part 47 includes a display panel, such as LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay), an organic EL display, and an indicator, such as LED (LightEmitting Diode), or the like. The display panel of display part 47 candisplay a various operation screens of GUI (Graphical User Interface).In the present embodiment, input part 46 and display part 47 may becombined and configured as like a display having a touch panel.Therefore, it is also possible to arrange buttons for various operationson display part 47 and is instructed via input part 46 by depressingthem. Also, as above-mentioned, it is possible to display a numerickeypad on display part 47. Also, LED of display part 47 can displayvarious states. Also, LED can display the various states of theself-apparatus. Also, some of LED, or the like, for display part 47 maybe provided inside of the button. Thereby, it can inspect a state ofdepression of the button, or the like.

Also, operation panel part 16 may be provided with a connecting partthat connects with an external record medium, such as flash memory card,a USB storage apparatus, or the like.

Image formation part 17 makes the image formation from the data storedin memory part 19, read by manuscript reading part 12, or acquired fromthe external support terminal by a user's output instruction to arecording paper perform. Image formation part 17 is provided with aphoto conductor drum, an exposure part, a developing part, a transferpart, a fixing part, or the like. Image formation part 17 records atoner image on a recording paper by performing an image formationprocess of electrification, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing.

FAX transmission and reception part 18 transmits and receives afacsimile. FAX transmission and reception part 18 can perform facsimilereceiving from other FAX equipment via a voice line, can preserve it onmemory part 19, and can perform image formation by image formation part17. Also, FAX transmission and reception part 18 converts the manuscriptread by manuscript reading part 12, the data of network FAX transmittedfrom the external support terminal into image data. FAX transmission andreception part 18 can perform facsimile transmission of the image datato other FAX equipment via a voice line.

Memory part 19 is a memory part having a non-transitory recordingmedium. Memory part 19 may include, for example, semiconductor memory,such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like,or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like. RAM of memory part 19 may be helda memory content in a power-saving state by self refreshing function, orthe like. The control program for operation-controlling image formingapparatus 1 is stored in ROM or HDD of memory part 19. The controlprogram may be an OS and various applications. In addition, memory part19 may also store user account settings. Also, an area of a storagefolder (Document box) for each user may be included in memory part 19.

In addition, image forming apparatus 1, control part 10 and imageprocessing part 11 may be integrally-formed as like CPU with built-inGPU, a chip-on module package, SOC (System On Chip), or the like. Also,control part 10 and image processing part 11 may contain RAM, ROM, aflash memory, or the like.

(Configuration of Support Terminal 2)

Also, according to FIG. 3, support terminal 2 is provided with controlpart 20, network transmitting and receiving part 25, input part 26,display part 27, memory part 29, or the like. Control part 20 may be aninformation processing part, such as GPP (General Purpose Processor),CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), DSP (DigitalSignal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), ASIC (ApplicationSpecific Processor, processor for particular applications), or the like.

Input part 26 is a keyboard, various sensors, a pointing device, or thelike, for acquiring the various instructions by a user. The pointingdevice includes a touch panel, a digitizer, a touchpad, or the like.Input part 26 can make various instructions input by a user, such as thesupport personnel, or the like, by using GUI (Graphical User Interface)of OS and can acquire this. Also, information of moving the pointer anddepressing a key (physical key) of the keyboard in input part 26 istransmitted to image forming apparatus 1. That is, the display ofdisplay part 27 explained below is updated based on this information.

Display part 27 includes a flat-panel screen panel, such as LCD, anorganic EL display, a FED (Field Emission Display), a fluorescentcharacter display tube, or the like, a projector, LED for a statusdisplay, or the like. Display part 27 can display various operationscreens according with GUI. In addition, input part 26 and display part27 may be integrally-formed as like a display with the touch panel orthe digitizer.

Network transmitting and receiving part 25 is a network connection partincluding a LAN board, a wireless transceiver, or the like, forconnecting with network 5.

Memory part 29 is a memory part having a non-transitory recordingmedium. Memory part 29, for example, may include various RAM as a mainmemory part. Also, memory part 29, for example, may include ROM, eMMC(embedded Multi Media Card), SSD (Solid State Drive), HDD, or the likeas an auxiliary memory part. Also, memory part 29 stores a controlprogram for the self-apparatus. The control program may be various OS, aweb browser that can browse webs, such as WWW, or the like, variousapplications, or the like. Also, memory part 29 may include externalstorages, such as various flash memories, optical recording media, orthe like.

[Functional Configuration of Image Forming System X]

Here, as refer to FIG. 4, a functional configuration of image formingsystem X in the present embodiment is explained. Control part 10 inimage forming apparatus 1 is provided with connecting part 100,operation acquiring part 110, drawing mode switching part 141, anddrawing part 160. Memory part 19 in image forming apparatus 1 storesoperational information 400, emulated image 410, and mode information440. Control part 20 in support terminal 2 is provided with displayoperating part 200 and operation transmitting part 210. Memory part 29in support terminal 2 stores operational information 400 and emulatedimage 410.

Connecting part 100 connects with support terminal 2 in a session of aspecific protocol. The specific protocol may be a protocol extended fromthe RFB protocol. In this case, connecting part 100 may execute aprogram compatible with the RFB server. Also, connecting part 100 cantransmit emulated image 410 to support terminal 2 according to theinstructions from operation acquiring part 110. The transmission may beexecuted as corresponded to the RFB protocol.

Operation acquiring part 110 acquires operational information 400corresponding to operation of support terminal 2 connected by connectingpart 100. Also, operation acquiring part 110 interprets operationalinformation 400, updates display part 47 of operation panel part 16, andgenerates and updates emulated image 410 corresponding to this. In thiscase, operation acquiring part 110 may generate and update emulatedimage 410 based on states of a display panel, LED, or the like, indisplay part 47.

Drawing mode switching part 141 switches to a drawing mode byoperational information 400 acquired by operation acquiring part 110.The drawing mode is a mode that performs drawing on the display ofoperation panel part 16. That is, in the drawing mode, the contents,which the support personnel have drawn on the remote panel in supportterminal 2, are drawn on the display panel of display part 47 inoperation panel part 16. Drawing mode switching part 141 sets thischange as mode information 440. In addition, a mode that operates normalremote panels other than the drawing mode is called as a “normal controlmode” in the following. In detail, drawing mode switching part 141analyzes operational information 400. Then, drawing mode switching part141 changes the mode when the area of the image for the mode changebutton is depressed with the pointer. Drawing mode switching part 141may determine the area of the image for the mode change button bycoordinates of the pointer. Also, drawing mode switching part 141 maychange the mode when a specific key of support terminal 2 is depressed.This “specific key” may be arbitrarily set up, for example, “D”, “P”,“space”, “ESC”, “Scroll Lock” key, or the like, by the developer of theremote panel. That is, the drawing mode and the normal control mode canbe changed (switched) by an instruction by the support personnel.

Drawing part 160 draws to operation panel part 16 corresponding todrawing instruction 540 included in operational information 400 whenbeing switched to the drawing mode by drawing mode switching part 141.Also, drawing part 160 reflects a drawing result to support terminal 2.In detail, drawing part 160 performs input of a character, drawing of anannotation picture, or drawing of a highlight in the drawing mode. Inthese, the input of a character may be a drawing based on an input byhandwritten character recognition, a virtual keyboard input, or thelike. Also, the drawing of an annotation picture may be an annotationdirectly-written to emulated image 410. That is, it may draw withdrawing instruction 540, directly. Also, the drawing of the highlightmay be drawn as a character and a mark of an area in drawing instruction540 is filled, semi-transparently, by the support personnel as like a“highlighter pen.”

Display operating part 200 connects with connecting part 100 in imageforming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, display operating part200 may connect with connecting part 100 with the protocol extended fromthe RFB protocol. In this case, display operating part 200 may executethe “remote panel,” which is a program compatible with the RFB clientfor image forming apparatus 1. Also, display operating part 200 acquiresemulated image 410 from above-mentioned connecting part 100 in imageforming apparatus 1 and displays it on display part 27. Also, displayoperating part 200 may execute the remote panel on the web browser insupport terminal 2 by using Java script (R), or the like. The programcompatible with the RFB client is acquired by connecting with the webserver in image forming apparatus 1 or, otherwise, it may be acquired byaccessing a web site of a server for a support. Thereby, withoutprior-installation the dedicated application, and it becomes possible touse the remote panel.

Also, in the present embodiment, display operating part 200 can move thepointer in all areas of emulated image 410 displayed on the web browserin support terminal 2. The areas may include areas other than the areafor image of the display panel, which is actually-displayed on displaypart 47 in operation panel part 16 in image forming apparatus 1. In thepresent embodiment, as described later, an image of the mode changebutton is included in an area other than the display panel.

Operation transmitting part 210 acquires various instructions of thesupport personnel on the remote panel and transmits them to imageforming apparatus 1. In detail, in the present embodiment, operationtransmitting part 210 acquires pointer data about movement anddepression of the pointer in emulated image 410 rendered on display part27. Further, operation transmitting part 210 transmits the pointer dataas operational information 400 to image forming apparatus 1 in thesession. Also, operation transmitting part 210 can acquire the pointerdata having for an area of the physical buttons of operation panel part16 on emulated image 410.

Also, operation transmitting part 210 can also acquire pointer data onthe area for the image of the mode change button in emulated image 410as operational information 400.

Also, operation transmitting part 210 may send key data about depressionof a key in support terminal 2 as operational information 400.

Also, in the present embodiment, display part 27 displays emulated image410.

Operational information 400 includes the pointer data about movement anddepression of the pointer on emulated image 410. In detail, operationalinformation 400 may include information on depression of a button as thepointer data. About this, operational information 400 may include thepointer data in the area of the image for the mode change button, whichchanges (switches) the mode, or the like. Also, operational information400 may include the key data about depression of the key in supportterminal 2. That is, operational information 400 may include informationof depression of a physical key in input part 26.

Also, operational information 400 includes drawing instruction 540.Drawing instruction 540 may be an instruction about the input of acharacter, the drawing of an annotation picture, or the drawing of ahighlight by the support personnel corresponding to the pointer dataand/or the key data. That is, drawing instruction 540 may include dataof a character string, an annotation picture, or coordinate data of ahighlight with each command (instruction), or the like.

Mode information 440 is information including a flag, or the like, whichindicates a state in the present mode. That is, mode information 440 maybe set up as the value of “1” in the drawing mode and “0” in the normalcontrol mode, or the like.

(Screen Example of Emulated Image 410)

Here, as refer to FIG. 5, a screen example of emulated image 410 isexplained. Emulated image 410 in the present embodiment includes, forexample, panel D, which is an image of an area emulated the displaypanel of display part 47. Also, emulated image 410 includes button groupB that shows the various buttons corresponding to input part 46 of imageforming apparatus 1. That is, button group B is an image of the areaemulated physical buttons, which is in the area other than the displaypanel of display part 47 of operation panel part 16 in image formingapparatus 1. Also, emulated image 410 includes image of indicator L,which is emulated LED, or the like. The image of these areas may beupdated by operation of the support personnel. The support personnelcontrol image forming apparatus 1 by depressing each button of panel Dand button group B on emulated image 410. The control result isreflected in panel D and indicator L by using emulated image 410acquired from image forming apparatus 1.

Also, emulated image 410 includes the image for mode change button M tochange the mode outside of the area displayed in operation panel part16. The area of the mode change button M may be on a place differentfrom the areas of panel D, indicator L, and button group B. Also, themode change button M may be included only in emulated image 410, and itmay not be present in real operation panel part 16 in image formingapparatus 1.

In addition, mode change button M may be arranged other than the insideof emulated image 410, or may be set up with a menu, a button, or thelike in a web browser. Also, a configuration that includes theequivalent instructions as depression of mode change button M inoperational information 400 by depressing a key of input part 26, or thelike, is also possible.

Here, control part 10 of image forming apparatus 1 functions asconnecting part 100, operation acquiring part 110, drawing modeswitching part 141, and drawing part 160 by executing the controlprogram stored in memory part 19. Also, control part 20 of supportterminal 2 functions as display operating part 200 and operationtransmitting part 210 by executing the control program stored in memorypart 29.

Also, each part of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus landsupport terminal 2 serves as hardware resources to execute thecommunication processing method in the present disclosure. In addition,the above-mentioned part or arbitrary combination of a functionalconfiguration may be configured as in hardware with an IC, aprogrammable logic, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

[Drawing Support Process in Image Forming System X]

Then, as refer to FIG. 6-FIG. 7, a drawing support process in imageforming system X according to the embodiment of the present disclosureis explained. In the drawing support process of the present embodiment,control part 10 of image forming apparatus 1 executes the controlprogram stored in memory part 19, control part 20 of support terminal 2executes the control program stored in memory part 29 with collaboratingeach part and by using hardware resources. In the following, withreference to the flow chart in FIG. 6, the details of a drawing supportprocess are explained for each step.

(Step S121)

Firstly, connecting part 100 of image forming apparatus 1 performs aconnecting process. The IT administrator, or the like, uses service ofremote maintenance in time of problem solving or training of imageforming apparatus 1, or the like. In this case, IT administrator, or thelike, may also possibly receive and answer by voice message, directly,with the support personnel in the support terminal 2 by using a voiceline, or the like, connected with the image forming apparatus 1. Thesupport personnel may communicate that starting remote maintenance byusing the remote panel function of image forming apparatus 1 is desired.Then, IT administrator, or the like, instructs to execute the remotepanel as remote maintenance by using operation panel part 16 in imageforming apparatus 1, or the like. Thereby, connecting part 100 connectswith support terminal 2 in a session of the specific protocol, such as aprotocol extended from the RFB protocol. In this case, connecting part100 executes a program compatible with the RFB server.

Also, in this case, display operating part 200 in support terminal 2acquires, for example, communication error of the session, anenvironment information of support terminal 2, an environmentinformation of the self-apparatus, or the like, as log information 420,and stores it in memory part 29, temporarily.

(Step S221)

Here, display operating part 200 in support terminal 2 performs adisplay operation acquiring process. The support personnel of supportterminal 2 starts the web browser and executes the “remote panel” thatis a program compatible with the RFB client. Thereby, display operatingpart 200 connects with connecting part 100 in image forming apparatus 1with the protocol extended from the RFB protocol. Thereby, emulatedimage 410 is displayed on the web browser, and movement, depression ofthe pointer, or the like, is enabled by input part 26.

(Step S222)

Then, operation transmitting part 210 performs an operationalinformation transmitting process. Operation transmitting part 210acquires rectangle coordinates of the pointer moved in emulated image410 on the web browser as the pointer data. Also, operation transmittingpart 210 acquires information of depression of a button or a physicalkey and adds it to the pointer data, too. Operation transmitting part210 transmits the pointer data as operational information 400 to imageforming apparatus 1.

(Step S122)

Then, drawing mode switching part 141 determines whether mode changeinstruction is inputted or not. Drawing mode switching part 141determines Yes if the area of the image for the mode change button isdepressed with the pointer in the pointer data of operationalinformation 400. Also, drawing mode switching part 141 determines Yes ifthe specific key is depressed in the key data of operational information400. Drawing mode switching part 141 determines with No if other.

In Yes, drawing mode switching part 141 advances a process to Step S123.

In No, drawing mode switching part 141 advances a process to Step S124.

(Step S123)

If there are mode change instructions, drawing mode switching part 141performs a mode switching process. Drawing mode switching part 141switches the state in the present mode with reference to modeinformation 440. That is, drawing mode switching part 141 switches tothe drawing mode if the present mode is the normal control mode. Also,drawing mode switching part 141 switches to the normal control mode ifthe present mode is the drawing mode. Drawing mode switching part 141 isreversing the flag of mode information 440 and may perform thisswitching (changing).

Also, according to FIG. 7, drawing mode switching part 141 reverses thedisplay of mode change button M, or the like, it may indicate to thesupport personnel that the state in the present mode has been changed.In addition, the display of button M itself may be changed to the“drawing mode” or the “normal control mode.”

(Step 124)

Here, drawing part 160 determines whether the present mode is thedrawing mode or not. Drawing part 160 determines Yes if mode information440 is in the drawing mode. Drawing part 160 determines No if modeinformation 440 is in the normal control mode.

In Yes, drawing part 160 advances a process to Step S125.

In No, drawing part 160 ends the drawing support process.

(Step S125)

If it is in the drawing mode, drawing part 160 performs a drawing modeprocess. According to FIG. 7, drawing part 160 refers to drawinginstruction 540 in operational information 400, and it draws to displaypart 47 of operation panel part 16 corresponding to the drawinginstruction 540. Also, drawing part 160 reflects the result of drawingto display part 47 on emulated image 410. In the example of FIG. 7, thesupport personnel indicate an icon and a physical button of “Copy.”

In this example, only the area of the display panel of display part 47corresponding to the area of “panel D” in emulated image 410 isdisplayed on image forming apparatus 1. Also, emulated image 410 itselfis transmitted to support terminal 2 by the above-mentioned displayoperation acquiring process. As a result, the drawing result reflects onsupport terminal 2 by the image data transmitted by the RFB server inimage forming apparatus 1. That is, drawing is executed with imageforming apparatus 1 with the pointer data and the key data included inoperational information 400. Then, the result of the drawing isdisplayed also on display part 27 in support terminal 2. As theabove-mentioned, the drawing support process according to the embodimentof the present disclosure is ended.

The following effects can be obtained with constituting as mentionedabove.

In typical technology, the support personnel can't instruct according tothe contents drawn on the support terminal.

On the other hand, image forming system X according to the embodiment ofthe present disclosure includes image forming apparatus 1 and supportterminal 2 for the remote maintenance of image forming apparatus 1.Image forming apparatus 1 is provided with connecting part 100,operation acquiring part 110, drawing mode switching part 141, anddrawing part 160. Connecting part 100 connects with support terminal 2for remote maintenance in a session of a specific protocol. Operationacquiring part 110 acquires operational information 400 corresponding tooperation of support terminal 2 connected by connecting part 100.Drawing mode switching part 141 switches to the drawing mode thatperforms drawing on a display of an operation panel by operationalinformation 400 acquired by operation acquiring part 110. Drawing part160, when switching to the drawing mode by drawing mode switching part141, draws to operation panel part 16 corresponding to drawinginstruction 540 included in operational information 400 and reflects adrawing result to support terminal 2. Support terminal 2 is providedwith display part 27 and operation transmitting part 210. Display part27 displays emulated image 410, which is emulated on the operation panelof image forming apparatus 1. Operation transmitting part 210 transmitsoperational information 400 including pointer data about movement anddepression of a pointer on emulated image 410 and/or key data aboutdepression of the key of support terminal 2 to image forming apparatus 1in the session.

As configured in this way, the support personnel can instruct to ITadministrator, or the like, according to the contents drawn on theremote panel in support terminal 2. That is, when the support personneleducate operation to IT administrator, or the like, input of acharacter, drawing of an annotation picture, drawing of a highlight, orthe like by using the remote panel can be performed. Thereby, ITadministrator, or the like, can be helped to understand, and it can becontributed to the support for remote maintenance.

Also, since image forming apparatus 1 in image forming system. X of thepresent embodiment draws based on operational information 400 fromsupport terminal 2, transmission of the image data of the drawing fromsupport terminal 2, or the like becomes unnecessary. Thereby, theloading of support terminal 2, or the like, can be reduced. Also, thecontents of the drawing in emulated image 410 can be the same betweensupport terminal 2 and image forming apparatus 1, and thus trouble, orthe like, by inconsistency of the drawing can be avoided.

Also, in image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure, drawing part 160 performs input of a character,drawing of an annotation picture, or drawing of a highlight in thedrawing mode.

As configured in this way, about the support for remote maintenance,input of the character, drawing of an annotation picture, drawing of ahighlight, or the like, corresponding to emulated image 410 of imageforming apparatus 1 can be performed via image forming apparatus 1. Thatis, it becomes possible to perform drawing, or the like, from the remotepanel coincided with internal data by using function in image formingapparatus 1. Thereby, a character, or the like, can be inputted,certainly,

Also, the contents of a highlight, or the like, can be combined with anarea of characters, such as a document file, a position of an icon, orthe like, certainly. Therefore, a support as intended by the supportpersonnel can be provided.

Also, in image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure, a specific protocol is a protocol that extends fromthe RFB protocol. Also, operational information 400 includes pointerdata about movement and depression of a pointer on emulated image 410,which is emulated on operation panel part 16 in the self-apparatus andis displayed on support terminal 2. Also, operational information 400includes key data about depression of a key of support terminal 2. Also,drawing instruction 540 corresponds to the pointer data and/or the keydata.

As configured in this way, from the remote panel, information aboutmovement of the pointer and depression of the key defined by the RFBprotocol can be transmitted as operational information 400, and thedrawing mode can be performed. That is, drawing in image formingapparatus 1 can be performed by the protocol extending from the RFBprotocol. Thereby, a development cost can be reduced. Also, because aplurality of sessions in the remote panel becomes unnecessary, a problemfor connection by opening and closing of a port, or the like, will notbe occurred.

Also, it becomes unnecessary to transmit the actually-drawn image itselffrom support terminal 2. Thereby, the loading of support terminal 2 isreducible.

Also, in image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure, emulated image 410 includes an image for a modechange button that changes the mode in an area other than an area wheredisplaying is performed by operation panel part 16 of a self-apparatus.Also, drawing mode switching part 141 changes the mode when the area ofthe image for the mode change button is depressed with a pointer inoperational information 400 or when a specific key of support terminal 2is depressed.

As configured in this way, only the support personnel can draw.Therefore, an operational mistake by IT administrator, or the like, inimage forming apparatus 1 is prevented, and the efficiency of remotemaintenance can be attained.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example that executes the remotepanel with the RFB protocol is explained. However, a remote panel may beperformed with other original protocols, and the above-mentioned remotemaintenance may be performed. Also, in an above-mentioned embodiment, anexample that a program corresponding to an RFB client is executed on aweb browser in support terminal 2 to perform the remote panel isexplained. However, in support terminal 2, a dedicated application maybe installed, and a remote panel may be performed. For example, emulatedimage 410 may be generated in image forming apparatus 1, without usingVNC, or the like, the image may be pushed to the web browser or thededicated application, serially, or streaming may be performed insupport terminal 2. Also, contrary, in support terminal 2, an operationdisplay program that generates emulated image 410 of image formingapparatus 1 corresponding to operation of the support personnel may beexecuted. In this case, by executing the operation display program,operational information 400 may be transmitted as well as theabove-mentioned configuration, and image forming apparatus 1 may becontrolled. Also, in this case, without transmitting the image dataitself from image forming apparatus 1, only data required to generateemulated image 410, which is data related to a user file, or the like,may be transmitted. In addition, the operation display program may be a“real” emulator that executes the control program, which is similarprogram stored in memory part 19 in image forming apparatus 1, atsupport terminal 2. As configured in this way, a remote panel can beestablished even if an environment that the RFB protocol is unusable,for example, environment connectable only with the port of HTTP, or thelike. Also, it is also possible to configure so as to compress thebandwidth of data related to transmission and reception of data.

In the above embodiment, an example that the mode change button isarranged within emulated image 410 is explained. However, the modechange button may be arranged other than the inside of emulated image410, or may be set up with a menu, a button, or the like, on the webbrowser. Also, a configuration that includes the instruction similar todepression of mode change button M in operational information 400 bydepression of the key of input part 26, or the like, is also possible.

Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is mainly-disclosed anexample that operation by the support personnel is reflected indisplaying or controlling to image forming apparatus 1. However, theoperation by IT administrator, or the like, to operation panel part 16in image forming apparatus 1 may be reflected in controlling of emulatedimage 410 or image forming apparatus 1. Also, it is possible toconfigure that the reflected result may be transmitted to supportterminal 2. Thereby, in addition to instruction and operation by thesupport personnel, corresponding to actual operation by ITadministrator, emulated image 410 can be generated, or image formingapparatus 1 can be controlled. This can help IT administrator intraining, or the like, understand well.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example that arranges the modechange button in the position displayed only on display part 27 insupport terminal 2 is shown. However, the button for drawing mode may bearranged on input part 46 of operation panel part 16 in image formingapparatus 1. The button in the drawing mode may be drawn on a displaypanel, or may be provided as a physical key.

As configured in this way, contents that IT administrator, or the like,draws on operation panel part 16 in image forming apparatus 1 can bereflected on support terminal 2. Also, controlling image formingapparatus 1 by input of hand writing, or the like, can be performed.

Further, this mode change button in image forming apparatus 1 may bearranged other than the mode change button in emulated image 410 asabove-mentioned, and each button may have different specification. Thatis, the type of character, the color of drawing, the contents of thehighlight, or the like, may be changed whether the input is performed bysupport personnel, IT administrator, or the like.

As configured in this way, an educational effect will be increased.

Also, the present disclosure is applicable to information processingapparatus other than the image forming apparatus. That is, it may beconfigured to use the network scanner, a server, or the like, whichseparately-connected with a scanner by USB, or the like.

Also, the configuration and operation of the above-mentioned embodimentare an example, and it cannot be overemphasized that it can changesuitably and can execute in the range that does not deviate from the aimof the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: aconnecting part configured to connect with a terminal for remotemaintenance in a session of a specific protocol; an operation acquiringpart configured to acquire operational information corresponding tooperation of the terminal connected by the connecting part; a drawingmode switching part configured to switch to a drawing mode that performsdrawing on a display of an operation panel part of a self-apparatus ofthe image forming apparatus by the operational information acquired bythe operation acquiring part; and a drawing part configured to draw tothe operation panel part corresponding to a drawing instruction includedin the operational information and to reflect a drawing result on theterminal when being switched to the drawing mode by the drawing modeswitching part, wherein the specific protocol is a protocol that extendsfrom a remote frame buffer (RFB) protocol; the operational informationincludes a) pointer data about movement and depression of a pointer onan emulated image emulated based on the operation panel part of theself-apparatus, and displayed on the terminal and/or b) key data aboutdepression of a key in the terminal; the drawing instruction correspondsto the pointer data and/or the key data; the emulated image includes animage for a mode change button changing the mode in an area other thanan area displayed in the operation panel part of the self-apparatus; andthe drawing mode switching part changes the mode when the area of theimage for the mode change button is depressed with the pointer or aspecific key of the terminal is depressed in the operationalinformation.
 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the drawing part performs an input of a character, drawing of anannotation picture, or drawing of a highlight in the drawing mode.
 3. Animage forming system having an image forming apparatus and a terminalfor remote maintenance of the image forming apparatus, wherein: theimage forming apparatus includes a connecting part configured toconnects with the terminal in a session of a specific protocol; anoperation acquiring part configured to acquire operational informationcorresponding to operation of the terminal connected by the connectingpart; a drawing mode switching part configured to switch to a drawingmode that performs drawing on a display of an operation panel part of aself-apparatus of the image forming apparatus by the operationalinformation acquired by the operation acquiring part; and a drawing partconfigured to draw to the operation panel part corresponding to adrawing instruction included in the operational information and toreflect a drawing result on the terminal when being switched to thedrawing mode by the drawing mode switching part; and the terminalincludes a display part configured to display an emulated image emulatedbased on the operation panel part of the self-apparatus of the imageforming apparatus; and an operation transmitting part configured totransmit the operational information, wherein the operationalinformation includes a) pointer data about movement and depression of apointer on the emulated image and/or b) key data about depression of akey in the terminal to the image forming apparatus in the session; thespecific protocol is a protocol that extends from a remote frame buffer(RFB) protocol; the drawing instruction corresponds to the pointer dataand/or the key data; the emulated image includes an image for a modechange button changing the mode in an area other than an area displayedin the operation panel part of the self-apparatus; and the drawing modeswitching part changes the mode when the area of the image for the modechange button is depressed with the pointer or a specific key of theterminal is depressed in the operational information.
 4. The imageforming system according to claim 3, wherein the drawing part performsan input of a character, drawing of an annotation picture, or drawing ofa highlight in the drawing mode.
 5. A communication processing methodexecuted by an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with aterminal for remote maintenance, comprising the steps of: connectingwith the terminal in a session of a specific protocol; acquiringoperational information corresponding to operation of the connectedterminal; switching to a drawing mode that performs drawing on a displayof an operation panel part of a self-apparatus of the image formingapparatus by the acquired operational information; drawing to theoperation panel part corresponding to a drawing instruction included inthe operational information; and reflecting a drawing result on theterminal when being switched to the drawing mode, wherein the specificprotocol is a protocol that extends from a remote frame buffer (RFB)protocol; the operational information includes: a) pointer data aboutmovement and depression of a pointer on an emulated image emulated basedon the operation panel part of the self-apparatus, and displayed on theterminal and/or b) key data about depression of a key of the terminal;the drawing instruction corresponds to the pointer data and/or the keydata; the emulated image includes an image for a mode change buttonchanging the mode in an area other than an area displayed in theoperation panel part of the self-apparatus; and the method compriseschanging the mode when the area of the image for the mode change buttonis depressed with the pointer or a specific key of the terminal isdepressed in the operational information.
 6. The communicationprocessing method according to claim 5, comprising performing, in thedrawing mode, an input of a character, drawing of an annotation picture,or drawing of a highlight.